_CoonhoundCompanions.com is embarking on a “senior blitz” to highlight the virtues of adult hounds as pets. Today, we are releasing a new poster, "Long Ears + Maturity = Deep Bonds." The poster is available on our Posters & More page (above). The public should feel free to print out copies of the new and older posters and put them up wherever coonhounds may be awaiting adoption, or wherever else hounds' sterling qualities as pets could use some favorable publicity. Also look forward to a new web page/flyer, “When Older is Best,” and a series of blog posts about senior hound adoption success stories.For example, a picture of Scarlett, an older Walker hound from the mountains of North Carolina, stole the hearts of an Ohio family with her soulful eyes. The captivated family that adopted her runs BarkPark (http://barkpark.org/), a wonderful fundraising organization for animal causes.

Shortly after Scarlett moved to her forever home, BarkPark held a very successful fund raising event for Coonhound Companions. Scarlettstole the show as the ambassador and greeter of the day.

Miss Scarlett, from the Carolinas, adopted into an Ohio family.

_Another example: Moses, a Black and Tan Coonhound who sauntered into the large wards in an urban shelter, managed to grab the attention of a busy Animal Control Officer who was quickly suckered into fostering him. Moses inspired a whole new passion for his new owners who became Black and Tan Coonhound fanciers.If you’re not cautious, you’ll find out firsthand just how lovely a companion a mature hound can be.The new poster highlights the advantages of an adopting an adult hound.While the “cute” factor of pups is undeniable, older dogs are easier to live with and are a better match for many hound lovers. The poster notes that “Coonhounds of a certain age are calmer and wiser.” Adults are past teething, past teenage rebellion, easier to housebreak, their voices have matured past that annoying puppy whine. They have longer attention spans. It’s easier to predict their ultimate personalities and physical characteristics. Those cute puppies pee on carpets, turn your best shoes into chew toys, dig holes in the lawn and the upholstered furniture, and usually destroy at least one remote control while growing up. Adults are far less inclined to such aggravating behavior!Our poster illustrates that adult hounds often still enjoy being active without engaging in exhausting, frenetic behavior. They still like to go for a hike, play on the lawn, or loll on your couch without needing to run a marathon every day. For those with unsettled life plans, adult hounds are a shorter-term commitment. Plus, there are so many adult hounds out there in need of permanent homes.Choosing to adopt a mature dog gives you a lot of choices and the chance to bypass puppy mills while saving the life of a hound with experience. When a hound is experienced at reading humans, its natural eagerness to please contributes to instant bonding.Please check out "Long Ears + Maturity = Deep Bonds,” as well as our earlier posters,""Long Ears = Social Networking," "Long Ears & You = Soulmates," "Long Ears = Lotsa Cute," "Long Ears = Lotsa Fun," and "Long Ears = Lotsa Talent." Download them,post them, and hand them out. Help find homes for coonhounds and foxhounds in your local rescues and shelters.

Hello and thank you for your article. I volunteer for a dog rescue and have had the opportunity to foster 2 wonderful older hounds. They were amazing and I fell in love with both of them. They are excellent companions and went on to join loving families. There is always a special place in my heart for older dogs but there is a bigger special place for older hounds :)

My sweet Black and Tan is getting older, she was a rescue so I'm not sure, but I think she is 7 or 8. She gets better with age!

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Debra Gantz

12/31/2011 07:48:54 am

I love this blog! Thank you for stating the wonderful opportunity an older hound may have being added to a family. Even more so the wonderful opportunity for the family that lets them share their love! There are 3 at a shelter in OH I have tried for months to get to rescue foster homes or to adopting homes. I am sharing this with the Morrow County Shelter in Mt. Gilead, OH!

Debra, you are an angel for networking for the older hounds in Ohio. The Coonhound Companions team spoke with a successful hound rescue in Texas and learned that the best way to get a hound into a home is to bring them to adoption events. When an adoptive family gets a chance to see first-hand how easy-going and handsome the coonhounds are, they will take a chance on adopting a breed that they don't know much about. Tell folks that coonhounds are all-American bred dogs and that makes a big impact as well!

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Cindy Tibbett

12/31/2011 09:00:09 am

We adopted an older Treeing Walker from our local animal control where she was on the high risk list. She was shutting down in the shelter environment. Today Molly is healthy and happy, loves to go for rides in the car, walks in the park and maps on the couch. She is a true joy. We also adopted a Beuagle from the same shelter and love him dearly. Is love to add a Redbone to our bunch.h

Cindy, if you have the space there are plenty of Redbones out there :) !

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Mary Lou Gill

12/31/2011 12:48:44 pm

My boy Jed is 13 yrs young. He continues to be a joy, he walks alittle slower, barks alittle less often, hasn't tried to escape in months but still wakes me most mornings to go outside , is still so happy to see me when I walk in the door and still gets very excited for his walks ! He has aged with grace that most humans would envy! Senior dogs rock !!!! Please don't discount a dog because they are seniors.

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Marcia

1/2/2012 10:47:54 am

If I ever get situated to share space with another dog I would not hesitate to adopt another senior dog.......and next time a red bone might be the new joy waiting around the corner....who knows?????

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Angela Faeth

1/4/2012 12:34:17 am

Marcia, I feel the same way - an older hound would be great. It would be fun to have an experienced coonhound then help train a pup.

If you are having difficulty downloading a poster, please write to info@coonhoundcompanions.com with details of how you are doing it and what the error message is that you are receiving, if any. We'd certainly like to fix any problems.

if Patricia's link doesn't work for you, go to
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-District-of-Hound-by-CDR/121959121306971

I used to keep two redbones in Brooklyn, NY. Hounds do surprisingly well in urban environments, and they make lots of friends for you!

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Patricia

6/29/2017 01:16:51 pm

I just adopted Hank from a wonderful rescue group...my vet said he is a black/tan coonhound - 5 years old. My cats, who never saw a dog up close, adore him - he is still trying to figure out why they exist. He is the best dog; loves everyone especially kids...so happy he is in our lives